I have neglected to update for a while, so I will tell you what I've been doing.
Tonight my brother was talking to me about poetry. He had an assignment to write a short narrative piece and was having a hard time deciding what to do. As a rule, he does not like or understand what he calls 'English major' poetry. Occasionally after one of my literature classes I'll have him read what we've been studying; I think I've subjected him to some T. S. Eliot and Hart Crane. We've argued (or rather, discussed) differing opinions on the worth of work like theirs. Earlier I made him read a few Shakespeare sonnets and a Robert Frost piece called 'Stars' so he could understand something about different forms and et cetera. He ended up writing about a sailor in old spain. After, I youtube'd up some of my favorite slam poets--Taylor Mali, Katie Makkai--to show him that not all poetry lies in that box of stuff he doesn't like. He really liked Mali.
I love it when these poets get fired up and in the moment with their work. They're brilliant. Even the hard-to-get poems come to life in a good slam poet. There is just a vibrance of emotion that comes across, and a meaning communicated that otherwise escapes.
I am just here to share a little bit of what I love. Enjoy. :)
(Slight language warning)
